Somatostatin immunoneutralization affects plasma metabolite concentrations in the domestic fowl.

Young leghorn cockerels were injected with antiserum to somatostatin (anti-SRIF) and plasma glucose, free fatty acids and alpha-amino nitrogen concentrations determined. Plasma glucose concentrations increased rapidly after anti-SRIF and remained high for up to 2 hr. Two different antisera tested had hyperglycaemic activity. Plasma free fatty acids also increased rapidly after administration of the two different anti-SRIFs, and remained high for about 1 hr. Plasma alpha-amino nitrogen increased during the first 30 min after anti-SRIF, then declined to levels significantly lower than control by 1-2 hr after injection. Anaesthesia reduced plasma concentrations of glucose and alpha-amino nitrogen, and also reduced the changes of these metabolites following anti-SRIF. The results show the importance of endogenous somatostatin in the regulation of plasma metabolite concentrations.